Load-moving machine



ct. 26, 143, c. w on- LbAD-MOVING MACHINE Filed Jan. 15, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet l @220 26,, 1943.; c. W. MoTT LOAD-MOVING MACHINE Filed Jan. 13, 1942 '5 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 Paws PM @22 26, 2222. (.1. W. MOTT 2,222,222

LOAD-MOVING MACHINE Get. 2%, 1943.. G. W. MOTT 2,332,742

LOAD-MOVING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 15, 1942 @ct 2%, 1943. W 2,332,742

LOAD-MOVING MACHINE Filed Jan. 15, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented on. as, 1943 f s'r'rss LOAD-MUG on i cm W. Mott, La Grange, m, assignor to an national ester @ompany, a corporation oi New Ziersey Application January 13, 1942, Serial No. 426,569

11 ims'. (El. zit-Jill) This invention relates to a load-moving machine and particularly to a machine of the type mounted on a mobile frame and including a device adapted to gather and move material from storage heaps or other accumulations. Still more particularly the invention pertains to a load-moving machine of the type mounted on a tractor and including lifting mechanism operated from a load so raised may be transported in raised peel-- tion; and the scoop element is mounted for release so that the load may be dumped. The principal object of the present inventio is to provide an improved load-moving machine including mechanism that is eficient in raising or otherwise moving loads gathered by the loadgathering device, this mechanism being preferably in the form of a structure comprising levers and including in the linkage thereof a poweroperated or other force-exerting means adapted to swing the load-gathering device from one position to another.

It is an important object of the invention to provide such mechanism in a load-moving machine of the type that is mounted on a tractor or other vehicle.

The invention seeks as another object to provide an improved load-moving machine including a pair of force-exerting mechanisms, these matic or fluid-pressure devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide equalizing means operable between a plurality of force-exerting means so that the normally indecarrying or scoop element having removable loaden'gaglng means.

And, another object is to provide in a vehicle mounted load-moving machine a guide means serving to restrain relative transverse movement between the load-carrying means and the vehicle.

Briefly, and specifically, the foregoin and other important objects and desirable features of the invention are achieved in a preferred mannor by an arrangement including in conjunction with a tractor, a pair of longitudinally extending beams connected at their rear ends to the tractor and having at their forward ends a load-carrying means in the form of a scoop or th like. The tractor fram provides a supporting base which serves to provide in conjunction with a plurality of link or lever means a polygonal lifting structure at each side of the tractor. Each lifting structure includes a force-exerting means, in one form of the invention consisting of a fluid-pressure device having a piston and cylinder expansible to vary or extend one side of the polygon for the purpose of raising the beams and the loadmechanisms being preferably in the form of pneupendent forces exerted'by said means are equalized in the moving of the load-carrying device.

It is an important object or the invention to utilize, as force-exerting means, pneumatic pres sure devices capable of resiliently supporting the load-carrying means in raised position.

Another object of the invention is to provide th construction just mentioned ioruse in a tracair or other gas employed to move the cylinder is compressible within the cylinder, a resilient supporting of the raised beams is achieved. By this mean transporting of the raised load-carrying device is facilitated, the pneumatic device or devices absorbing the shocks resulting from the travel of the tractor over uneven ground.

A iurther understanding of the preferred forms of the invention may be had from the following detailed description in conjunction with the ac companying sheets of drawings, in which:

Figure l is a plan view, of one form of the invention, showing the improved machine in conjunction with a tractor:

Figure 2 is a side elevational viewof the structure shown in Figure 1; v

Figure 3 is a view similar to that in Figure 2 but showing the load-supporting beams and loadcarrying means in raised position, the dumped position of the load-carrying means being indicated in broken lines;

.Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line t-t of Figure 2 and showing a. preferred form of equalizing means; a

aasavss x Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken subat its forward end is provided with a blade memstantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 4 and showing a portion of the guide means;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-8 of Figure 4 showing another portion of the equalizing mea Figure 7 is a side elevational view of a modifiedform of machine in which a pneumatic pressure device is employed in the lifting structure; Figure 8 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 7; and

Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line 9-8 01' Figure 8 and illustrating one form of scoop means having removable tines or fingers.

Although the invention has been illustrated and will be described in conjunction with its use on an agricultural tractor, it will be understood that rles a drive wheel 23. The forward end of the body includes a steerable front structure 24 which includes a pair of closely spaced wheels. The body includes the usual hood and fuel tank structure generally indicated at 25 at the rear of which is carried on a support 26 a steering wheel and rod 27 associated in any conventional manner with the steerable front truck 24.

Each rear axle housing 2| carries supporting means in the form of a pair of brackets 28 secured together by bolts 29 to embrace the housing. The forward bracket member 28 has removably secured thereto by bolts 30 a vertical bracket member 3|. A yoke member 82 includa a transverse upper portion 33 and a pair of downwardly extending legs 34, the lower ends of which are rigidly secured as at 35 to the bracket members 3| at each side of the rear axle structure. At each side of the tractor is provided a forwardly and downwardly extending brace member 36, the upper end of which is secured to an upper portion of the yoke member 32 and the lower end oi. which is. rigidly secured to a forward portion of the tractor body or frame 20.

The load-moving structure includes a pair of transversely spaced, longitudinally extending beams 31. Each beam is pivotally its rear end as at 38 to the respective bracket member 3| and extends forwardly beyond the front, end of the tractor, at which point the beams arerigidly cross-braced by a pair of connecting connected at a braces 39. Each beam is provided at its extreme I forward end with a transverse pivot member 40, the two members being transversely alined to provide pivot means on a transverse horizontal axis. This means serves to carry a load-carrying or load-gathering device,.which is here shown as comprising a scoop member indicated generally by the numeral 4!. The scoop includes a pair of transversely spaced, longitudinally extending side members 42 rigidly cross-connected at their rear ends by a transverse structure 43 including upstanding fingers or rods 44. A bottom or pan 45 is disposed generally horizontally between the sides of the frame member 42 and The weight means thus serves to maintain the unloaded scoop in normal or horizontal position. As will appear hereinafter, will be seen that the weightof the loaded scoop overcomes the weight of the structure 43 so that the scoop may be dumped. Releasable means is provided for latching the scoop in normal or ioad carrving. position. This means preferably comprises an upstanding latch member 41 pivoted on a transverse pivot or rock-shaft 48 at the forward end of each beam and adjacent the rear end of the scoop 43. A similar latch member is provided adjacent the other beam at the other end of the rock-shaft, the rock-shaft serving as means for simultaneously operating both latch members. A hand lever 50 is pivotally carried at the rear end of the right-hand beam 21 within proximity to the operators station at the rear of the tractor and is connected by a longitudinally extending link 5| to the right-hand latch member 41; A

. tension spring 52 is connected between the hand lever 50 and the right-hand beam 31 and serves to retain the hand lever 50 normally in its forward position and thus to retain the latch members 41 in looking position as respects the scoop 4i.- When the beams and scoop are raised, the hand lever may be operated to release the latches, in which case the loaded scoop pivots downwardly and forwardly to dump the load carried thereby. A flexible element in the form of a chain 53 is connected at one end to the rear end of the scoop 4i and at its other end, as at 64, to the intersection of the cross-brace members 3!.

Each beam carries at a point just forwardly of the front truck 24 of the tractor an upstanding bearing bracket 55. These brackets serve to journal a transverse rock-shaft generally indicated at 56. The rock-shaft includes a transverse intermediate portion preferably in the form of a'sleeve 51, the opposite ends of which are secured, as by welding, to transversely extending pivot members 58. As shown in Figure 6, the pivot members 58 are preferably disposed eccentrlcally with respect to the axis of the sleeve 51. At each end of the sleeve 51 the rock-shaft structure carries an upstanding arm 59. This arm is preferably welded to both the sleeve and to the proximate bearing member 58. The arm 59 provides part of a structure including a second and longer arm 60, the lower end of which is connected as at iii to the arm 59. A bracing member 6 la is connected at one end to the upper end of the arm 59 and at its other end as at 62 to an upper portion of the arm 60. The extreme upper end of the arm 60 is provided with a pivot pin 68 to which is connected one end of a link' member 64. The other end of the member 64 is connected by a pin 65 to an .upper portion of the yoke 32.

The rear end of each beam includes a supporting bracket 66 rigidly carried on and provided with a pivotal connecting means in the form of at each side of the tractor body. Each forceexerting means is preferably in the form of a fluid-pressure device including a cylinder 88 and a reciprocating piston 10. The cylinder is con- I nected at its rear end to the pivot pin 61 in the bracket 66 on the respective beam 31, and the forward end of the piston is pivotally connected to the arm 60 by means of the pivot pin 58. The structure at both sides of the tractor is identical. The tractor includes a power plant of the usual type, generally indicated at 25a, which serves to operate a fluid pump, not shown, including a fluid supply conduit H at each side of the tractor. The conduits II are respectively connected I to the cylinders 69 and supply fiuid under pressure thereto in the usual manner. It will be understood, of course, that any force-exerting means may be employed in the lifting structure and that the fluid pressure devices illustrated are merely representative of such other devices.

An examination of Figures 2 and 3 will indicate that each lifting structure is in the form of a polygon, here a triangle, having its sides made up of the leg portion 3d of the yoke 32, the link member 64, and the cylinder and piston 59 and 10. It will be further noted that the side of the polygonal or triangular structure formed by the cylinder and piston is variable in length, in the present case expansible or extendible as the cylinder and piston are operated. Since the side of the lifting structure made up by the leg 3t of the yoke 32 is rigidly carried by the tractor, relative movement between the extensible members comprising 'the piston and cylinder moves the front corner of the triangle upwardly,

as shown in Figure 3. The arm 60 serves as a' means by which the scoop M is connected to this vertically movable corner of the lifting structure. Since the beams 31! are pivoted at their rear ends, the entire structure, including the beams and the scoop, is raised simultaneously. It will thus be seen thatthe lifting scoop may be attached directly to the forward corner of the lifting structure and that the beams 3'l may be alternated. However, the beams perform an important function in enabling the scoop to be driven into an accumulation of material so that the necessary quantity of this materialmay be loaded on the scoop t! simply by forward movement of the tractor.

It has been previously stated that the forward portion of the lifting structure comprising the arms 59 and 5t] and the brace members iii are rigidly carried in transversely spaced relation at opposite ends of the rock-shaft structure 56. Because of this connection, therock-shaft serves as equalizing means between the lifting structures at opposite sides of the tractor and thus serves to equalize the 'normally independent forces applied by the fluid pressure devices. This structure is an important feature of the present invention and serves to eliminate uneven raising of the scoop ll, as might possibly occur in the event that one side of the scoop is subjected to heavier loads than the other side. The sleeve 5'! is capable of withstanding the torsion applied independently thereto by. one of the fluid pressure devices so that this pressure is transmitted again back to the opposite pressure device, with the result that the forces are equalized as aforesaid.

An intermediate portion of the rock-shaft structure carries a pair of transversely spaced collars 12, each of which is rigidly secured to the sleeve 51. A transverse member 13, preferably semicyclindrical in cross-section, is loosely carried at its opposite ends by the collars I2 and thus may have angular movement with respect to the rockshaft. This member has rigidly secured thereto an upstanding rod element 14, the upper end of which is slidably carried in a bearing member 15. The member 15 is pivoted on a transverse horizontal axis to an upstanding supporting bracket' 16 rigidly carried at the forward end of the tractor body 20. The structure just described provides guide means which functions torestrain'relative movement transversely between the beams 31 and the tractor body, thus assuring that the beams will be moved directly upwardly.

In the modified form of structure shown in Figures 7 and 8, it may be assumed for the purposes of description that the tractors are similar. Further similarity may be assumed as to the beams 3'], forward pivot mounting Mlof a modified form .of load-gathering mean or scoop ll, and latching means comprising the lever 50, the link 5!, and the latch members M.

In the modified form just referred. to, the

equalizing means previously described may be eliminated. In this case, each of the beams 31 includes a forward journal bracket 18 which journals a transverse rock-shaft I9. Each end of the rock-shaft carries a pair of upstanding arms 88 cross-connected adjacent their upper ends by a transverse pivot pin M. An intermediate portion of the tractor body includes a dependin supporting structure having a pair of transversely spaced, downwardly extending supportin members 82, the lower ends of which are disposed at a level a substantial distance below the intermediate portion of the tractor body 20. A yoke member 83, including an upper transverse portion M and a pair of downwardly extending legs 35, is secured to the supporting members 81, the lower end of each leg of the yoke being connected to a transverse rock-shaft 35 carried by the lower ends of the members 82. A pair of bracing members ill is connected at opposite ends to the yoke and to the body to brace the yoke member 83 rigidly with respect to the tractor body. The supporting structure is further braced by a pair of downwardly and rearwardly extending brace members 88, one at each side of the tractor, each member 88 being connected at its forward end at 89 to the tractor and at its rearward end at 90, to a lower portion of a leg of the yoke 85. I

At each side of the. tractor body, there is ar ranged a link member 9i connected at its forward end to the pivot 3| of the upstandin arm 80 and at its rearward end connected to a pivot pin 90 on therespective leg 85 of the yoke 83. The link member 9! and the leg of the yoke at one side of the tractor comprise parts of a polygonal lifting structure. It will be understood that there are similar lifting structures at each side of the tractor. Each lifting structure includes as means to form a third side of the polygon a force-exerting means, in this form of the invention, preferably in the form .of a pneumatic pressure device 93 comprising a cylinder 9% and piston 95. The

rear ends of the cylinders 9d are pivoted on the will be nnderstood that anysimilar device may be suitably employed and a descriptionof the illustrated device is only general. The gas is supplied to the cylinders 94 by means of conduit 90, and

' the supply of gas may be controlled in any suit= able manner.

ease-74a pressiblevolumes of gas in the cylinders 9|. In

The operation of the lifting structure including the pneumatic devices is very similar to that described in conjunction with the structure in Figures l and 2. In the case of the pneumatic lifting devices, however, the gas, being compressible in the cylinders 94, is capable of providing a cushioning means for supporting the raised beam 91 and scoop 11. Thisis an important feature of the invention when the load-moving mechanism is employed with a tractor or other mobile frame, since the cushioning efiect of the pneumatic device supports the raised load-carrying device in such a spaced plate members 91. These plates are rigidly cross-connected at their lower portions by a pair of transversely extending parallel members 98 and 99. The plates are also cross-connected at their upper ends by a supporting member I including as an additional part thereof a transverse angle bar IOI. The upper member I00 and the front member 99 serve to carry an arcuate load-supporting member or pan I02.

The upper edge ofthis pan is secured to the member I00. The lower forward edge of the pan I02 is spaced slightly above and parallels the front member 99. A plurality of securing means in the form of rivets or the like I 03 are disposed in transversely spaced relation and rigidly secure the front edge of the arcuate member I02 to the, member 99. The load-gathering means of the scoop presently described includes a plurality of longitudinally extending tines or fingers I04.

' The rearward ends of the fingers are fitted between the spaced-apart members 99 and I02, each finger passing through the pair of spaced rivets I03. The rearward end of each finger is secured to the member 98 by removable means preferably in the form of a bolt I05. The structure thus provides for the removal of the fingers or tines I04 so that the same may be replaced in the event of wear or breakage. The relation between the fingers I04, the rivets I03, and the bolts I05 is such as to secure the fingers rigidly but removably in place, the rivets I03 preventing transverse displacement of the fingers.

In the operation of either of the forms of the invention illustrated, the pressure devices include the relatively extendible members, such as the cylinder and piston 69 and I0, or the cylinder and piston 94 and 95, so that the side of a triangle or other polygonal lifting structure may other respects the use and operation of the twoforms of load-moving machine are very similar. As previously stated, the scoops GI and 11 may be readily interchanged and installed in either structure.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that-an improved load-moving machine has been sides of a polygon structure and said pair of' provided and that the same has been represented in two preferred forms of the present invention. It will be understood, of course, that the illustrated structures are only. preferred forms of the invention and that numerous modifications and alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A load-moving machine comprising a supporting frame; a member rigidlycarrid'by the frame and upstanding therefrom; a link pivoted at' one end on the member; a pair of relatively ezitensible members; means pivotally connecting one member to the other end of the link; means pivotally connecting the other member of said pair to the supporting frame, said link, upstanding member and pair of members forming three members beingrelatively extendible to vary the length of one side of said structure to move upwardly the comer of said structure formed by the connection between the link and one of said pair of members; a load-carrying element;

and means connecting said element to said corner of the structure.

2. In combination, a supporting frame; a pair of lifting means, one at each side of said frame; each means comprising a generally polygonal structure mounted on the frame; each structure including a member rigidly carried by the frame and extending away therefrom and forming one side of the polygon, a link pivotally connected at one end'to the remote end of said member and forming a second side of the polygon, and force-exerting means between the end ofthe first member adjacent the base and the other end of the link and forming a third side of said polygon; each of said means including a pair of members movable relatively to vary the length of said third side of the polygon to move, through the plane of the respective polygon, the corner formed at the second and third sides; a loadbe extended. The arrangement of the linkage forming the lifting structure is such as to provide tremendous leverage upon initial raising of the load-carrying device. The arrangement of linkage further provides for increased elevation of the beams and scoop as the same are raised to load-transporting or load-dumping position. In the case of the pneumatic pressure devices the raised beams and scoop are resiliently supported on the cushions provided by the comca ying element; means connecting said element at opposite sides to each of the aforesaid corners; and means connecting said corners to equalize the forces applied to the polygonal structures upon operation of the force-exerting means.

3. In combination, a supporting frame; a pair of lifting means, one at each side of said frame; each means comprising a generally polygonal structure mounted on the frame; each structure including a member. rigidly carried by the frame andextending away therefrom and forming one side of the polygon, a link pivotally connected at one end to the remote end of said member and forming a second side of the polygon, and force-exerting means between the end of the first member adjacent thebase and the other carrying element; means connecting said element at opposite sides to each of the aforesaid ins said element to ing one side of the polygon, a link pivotally connected at one end to the remote end of said member and forming a second side of the polygon, and force-exerting means between the end of the first member adjacent the base and the other end of the link and forming a third side of said polygon; each of said means including a pair of members movable relatively to vary the length of said third side of the polygon to move, through the plane of the respective polygon, the

corner formed at the second and third sides; a

load-carrying element; means connecting said element at opposite sides to each of the aforesaid corners; means connecting said corners to equalize the forces applied to the polygonal structures upon operation of the force-exerting means; and means connected between the supporting frame and the lifting means to restrain relative movement between said frame and lifting means transversely of the planes of the polygonal structures.

5. In combination, a tractor having a frame including a transverse rear axle structure; a beam pivoted at itsrear end on the axle structure and extending forwardly of the tractor; a load-carrying element connected to the front end of the beam; and means carried by the tractor frame for moving the beam and element vertically, comprising a polygonal structure, a portion of the beam forming one side of the polygon; an upstanding link pivoted at one end to a forward portion of the beam and forming a second side of the polygon; force-exerting means forming a third side of the polygon; means connecting said means to the upper end of the link; means connecting said means to a rearward portion of the beam; said force-exerting means including a pair of members movable relatively to vary said third side of the polygon to move the beam vertically about its pivot on the tractor rear axle.

6. In combination, a tractor having a longi- I tudinal body; a pair of longitudinal beams connected at their rear ends to the tractor body for vertical movement with respect to the body and 1extending forwardly along opposite sides of the tudinal body; a pair of longitudinal beams connected at their rear ends to the tractor body for vertical movement with respect to the body and a load-carrying element; means connect the forward ends of the beams; an upstanding arm connected at one end plurality of securing extending forwardly along opposite sides of the body; a load-carrying element; means connecting said element to the forward ends of the beams; a link pivotally connected to and extending upwardly from a forward portion of a beam; supporting structure carried by the tractor body intermediate the front and rear ends of the body and depending both above and below the body; a second link. pivotally connected between an upper part of the supporting structure and an upper part of the first link; lifting mechanism connected between the supporting structure and the said links, adjacently to their pivotal connection to one another, for raising the beams and including a pneumatic pressure device having a' cylinder and piston relatively movable along a line of force inclining upwardly and forwardly between the supporting structure and the connection with said links.

' 8. In combination, a tractor including a longitudinal body; a pair of beams connected at their rear ends to the tractor body and extending forwardly along opposite sides of the body; loadcarrying means at the forward ends of the beams; a transverse rock-shaft journaled on said beams at their forward portions; a pair of arms spaced axially of the rock-shaft; means rigidly securing said arms to the rock-shaft; a pair of transversely spaced lifting means for raising the beams; means securing each lifting means at one end to a respective arm; and means securing the lifting means to the tractor body.

9. In combination, a tractor including a longitudinal body; load-carrying means at the forward ends of the tractor arranged for vertical movement with respect to the tractor; a trans- Verse rock-shaft journaled on the load-carrying means; a pair shaft; means rigidly securing said arms to the rock-shaft; a pair of transversely spaced lifting means for moving tne load-carrying means vertically; end to a respective arm; and means securing the lifting means to the tractor body.

10. A scoop for a load-moving device, comprising front and rear parallel members; a loadsupporting member disposed above said members and having a forward edge portion parallel to and spaced above the front member; a pmrality of transversely spaced securing elements securing the forward ing member and the front member in spaced relation as aforesaid; load-gathering means in-- cluding a plurality of transversely spaced fingers arranged between the front member and the forward edge of the load-supporting member and between certain of the spaced securing elements; and means removably securing certain of said fingers to the rear member.

11. A scoop for a load-moving device, comprising'a pair of parallel members; a load-supporting member having an edge portion parallel to and spaced vertically from one member; a elements spaced along said member securing said edge of the load-supporting member and said one member in spaced relation as aforesaid; load-gathering means including a plurality of transversely spaced fingers arranged between said one member and the said edge of the load-supporting member and between certain of the Sp m'lnli elements; and means removably securing certain of said fingers to the other member.

CARL W. MO IT.

of arms spaced axially of the rockmeans securing each lifting means at one edge of the load-support-' 

